10 March, 2016

How Long?

How long is too long? I dragged this partially done scrap quilt out two days ago for inspection and assessment. I have all the components cut and ready to go. On closer examination I discovered that many of the pinwheel blocks are turned, adding to the quirkiness. I guess I never paid attention to placement. Live and learn. Right now this top measures a L-O-N-G 112" inches by 60". I can add two more rows of pinwheels to the width, bringing the overall measurement to 79.5" X 115" when it is sashed on all sides. That's a good size for a long twin bed spread (including pillow tuck). Do we have any twin beds? No. Would there be any call for a quilt of these dimensions? I don't know. I can alter it at this point in time and take four rows off the length and add that many rows to the width. That would bring the overall dimensions to 92" X 84"; the correct size for a queen comforter. We do have two queen beds in our home, neither of them need quilts right now but should I think about that? What would you do? I'm truly torn as to what I should do at this point. I will finish up piecing the pinwheels I have cut, regardless of the desired finished dimensions; I am working on them leader-ender style.
So, back to the opening question... how long is too long? This quilt was started in 1997. Luckily there's no statute of limitations on quilt tops! I look forward to seeing this one through to its finished, quilted, state; no matter how long.

I would re-make it to queen size or shorten it to make a generous lap/throw size -- this is a beauty!!! Excess pinwheels? Pillows or possibly even a second smaller quilt ... (I'm not into big quilts these days - liking the more useful couch/lap/throw sizes)

Almost 20 years ago I made a quilt about that same size (long twin), and we used it forever as the "couch quilt". When the kids were snuggled on the couch to watch a video this quilt would extend from one end of the couch to the other, covering them all with enough slack to tuck around them. It also went on camping trips with us, and was used to wrap around two people as they sat on the steps outside to watch a meteor shower or an eclipse--or looking hopefully for the Northern Lights. It is fraying at the binding and the fabrics are very thin in places now, but it has seen us through so many good times!That said, it would make a great queen size quilt, too. : )

Tough decision, think I would take some off the end, and finish the width as is, and use the end ones with the ones you are going to make and have another quilt. THe width it is now would make a what we call single. What do you call a twin?

I loved many of the suggestions above ~ which echo my own thoughts. Donate to a kid heading off to college; a couch quilt that will fill with memories or definitely a QOV ... the colors are perfect for that! It's a beautiful quilt and I'm sure it will be loved. Personally, I don't make them larger than a twin ... I want people to snuggle under them when they are napping or watching TV ... haven't attempted anything bigger than that ... yet!!! Linda